Tuesday, March 10, 2026: The Eighth Station: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

Reading: Luke 23:27-31

And there followed him a great multitude of the people, and of women who bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning to them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never gave suck!’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us’; and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Reflection:

When the women of Jerusalem saw Jesus suffering, they were overcome with grief. They loved Jesus–they had seen him healing the sick, performing miracles, and speaking with enormous crowds who followed him everywhere. But now, everything was different and they weren’t ready for it. Jesus tells the women to weep not for him but for themselves and for their children.

PRAYER: 

Lord, you noticed the suffering of those who watched you suffer, recognizing the ripple effects of sin and violence. We pray for all legal advocates for immigrants who suffer significant secondary trauma as the result of moral injury and nearness to injustice.

Story: 

Carlos came to the United States at age 14 to escape extreme poverty in Honduras. Although he was initially homeless and exploited for dangerous work, nevertheless he persevered and worked hard to build a life for himself, graduating from high school at 22, attending some college, and then working diligently. During this time, he had two children for whom he became the primary caregiver. Unfortunately, increased enforcement has led to his detention since September 2025.

As Carlos’ attorney, I have gotten to see the letters of support that poured in…Each letter discussed in detail Carlos’ compassion, diligence, and integrity. Teachers easily remembered the positive impact he had on others… The letters described how Carlos has stepped up to be an extraordinary single parent, putting his children above all else.

Carlos is currently appealing the decision of an immigration judge to deny his application for cancellation of removal. He is also trying to plan for his likely eventual removal to Honduras — a country where he has few-to-no contacts and to where his children would have significantly reduced opportunities.

Although I am a person rarely brought to tears, the evening after this trial, I sat on my couch and cried. I cried for the effect that losing Carlos will have on his children and his community. I cried for the cruelty of a system that would deport such an extraordinary human, and because every day I witness, and participate in, a system where my moral norms are violated and betrayed by those in positions of authority. Despite such difficulty, I hope that my continued engagement in this work helps to make changes that benefit our communities.

- CLINIC staff member